Short game golf training mat

ABSTRACT

A golf training mat for practicing short game shots includes a ball striking surface having markings associated with foot and ball positioning. The mat also includes a first position marking having a front foot marking, a tear foot marking and a ball marking. The front foot marking and the rear foot marking are positioned along an alignment axis, wherein the ball marking is positioned substantially between the front foot marking and the rear foot marking along a line substantially perpendicular to the alignment axis. The golf training mat also includes a second position marking having a front foot marking, a rear foot marking and a ball marking. The front foot marking and the rear foot marking are positioned along an alignment axis, wherein the ball marking is positioned substantially in line with the front foot marking along a line substantially perpendicular to the alignment axis. The golf training mat also includes a third position marking having a front foot marking, a rear foot marking and a ball marking. The front foot marking and the rear foot marking are positioned along an alignment axis, wherein the ball marking is positioned substantially in line with the rear foot marking along a line substantially perpendicular to the alignment axis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to golf training mat. More particularly, theinvention relates to a golf training mat specifically adapted forpracticing shots associated with a golfer's short game, that is, a wedgeswing, a sand swing and a chip swing.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There are a wide variety of prior art golf practice mats designed toenable a golfer to practice his swing and to simulate various playingsituations and conditions encountered on a golf course during theplaying of a game of golf.

Specific examples of prior art golf ball hitting mats are disclosed in avariety of U.S. patents. For example, U.S. Pat. No. D335,696 to Byers etal., D472,288 to Grabowski, U.S. Pat. No. 2,707,638 to Manley, U.S. Pat.No. 4,000,905 to Shirhall, U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,810 to Lorang, U.S. Pat.No. 4,164,352 to O'Brien, U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,735 to Wilson, U.S. Pat.No. 4,248,431 to Burnes, U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,387 to Baxstrom, U.S. Pat.No. 5,035,433 to Durso, U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,686 to Bergman, U.S. Pat.No. 5,306,011 to Perry, U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,902 to McCrink Jr., U.S.Pat. No. 6,077,169 to Florian, U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,483 to Brown, U.S.Pat. No. 6,396,041 to Vock et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,482,102 to Grabowski,U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,376 to Carpenter, U.S. Pat. No. 6,723,004 toFlorian, U.S. Pat. No. 6,743,111 to Mindlin and U.S. Pat. No. 6,821,210to Kallage, Jr.

While a variety of golf training devices are disclosed above, a needcontinues to exist for improved training devices. The present inventionprovides such an improved training device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a golftraining mat for practicing short game shots. The golf training matincludes a ball striking surface having markings associated with footand ball positioning. The mat also includes a first position markinghaving a front foot marking, a rear foot marking and a ball marking. Thefront foot marking and the rear foot marking are positioned along analignment axis, wherein the ball marking is positioned substantiallybetween the front foot marking and the rear foot marking along a linesubstantially perpendicular to the alignment axis. The golf training matalso includes a second position marking having a front foot marking, arear foot marking and a ball marking. The front foot marking and therear foot marking are positioned along an alignment axis, wherein theball marking is positioned substantially in line with the front footmarking along a line substantially perpendicular to the alignment axis.The golf training mat also includes a third position marking having afront foot marking, a rear foot marking and a ball marking. The frontfoot marking and the rear foot marking are positioned along an alignmentaxis, wherein the ball marking is positioned substantially in line withthe rear foot marking along a line substantially perpendicular to thealignment axis.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a golf trainingmat wherein the first, second and third position markings are oriented90 degrees relative to each other.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a golf trainingmat wherein the first, second and third position markings each includeat least one squared foot position marking.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a golftraining mat wherein the front foot marking of the first positionmarking includes a squared foot position marking.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a golf trainingmat wherein the front foot marking of the second position markingincludes a square foot position marking.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a golf trainingmat wherein the front foot marking and the rear foot marking of thethird position marking include respective squared foot positionmarkings.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a golftraining mat including swing guide markings associated with, and inalignment with, the ball markings of the first, second and thirdposition markings.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a golf trainingmat wherein each of the swing guide markings includes first and secondparallel lines which are substantially parallel to the alignment axis.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a golftraining mat wherein the ball markings of the first, second and thirdposition markings are located along the first and second parallel lines,defining a range of locations along which a ball may be positioned.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a golf trainingmat wherein the ball markings of the first, second and third positionmarkings each include first and second ball marks respectivelypositioned in line with the first and second parallel lines of the swingguide markings.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description when viewed inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certainembodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the golf training mat in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is an edge view of the golf training mat.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the golf training mat.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein. Itshould be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiment is merelyexemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted aslimited, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a basis forteaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a golf training mat 10 for practicingshort game shots is disclosed. The golf training mat 10 is particularlyadapted for practicing a wedge swing, sand swing and chip swing. Withthis in mind, the golf training mat 10 is provided with a plurality ofmarkings associated with optimized foot and ball positioning. Themarkings are oriented 90 degrees relative to each other such that youneed only rotate upon the same mat to practice three different shots.The plurality of markings are also color coded to allow for ease of use.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thegolf training mat 10 includes a ball striking surface 12 having markingsassociated with foot and ball positioning associated with a wedge swing,a sand swing and a chip swing. The ball striking surface 12 ispreferably a synthetic grass-like material commonly utilized as apractice mat within the golf industry. However, those skilled in the artwill appreciate that other ball striking surfaces may be used withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention.

With regard to the markings, a first position marking 100 for practicinga wedge swing is provided, a second position marking 200 associated withpracticing a sand swing is provided and a third position marking 300 forpracticing a chip swing is provided.

The first position marking 100 includes a front foot marking 102, a rearfoot marking 104 and a ball marking 106. The front foot marking 102 andthe rear foot marking 104 are positioned along an alignment axis 108such that a golfer is positioned for striking a golf ball and hitting italong, and substantially parallel to, the alignment axis 108. The firstposition marking 100 also includes a squared foot position marking 110associated with the front foot marking 102.

The ball marking 106 is positioned substantially between the front footmarking 102 and the rear foot marking 104 along a line substantiallyperpendicular to the alignment axis 108. The ball marking 106 includesfirst and second ball marks 112, 114 respectively positioned forallowing a golfer to position a ball along a range of locations toaccommodate differing arm lengths and body sizes.

The squared foot position marking 110 is used in conjunction with thefront and rear foot markings 102, 104 to assist golfers in achievingproper alignment with the ball. In particular, it has been found thatgolfers have difficulty in achieving proper alignment when their frontfoot is flaired outwardly (see front foot marking 102) as the ballposition no longer appears to be between the front and rear feet of thegolfer when the front foot is flaired outwardly. As such, the presenttraining mat 10 provides a squared foot position marking 110 that allowsthe golfer to properly position his or her feet relative to the ballwhile the front and rear feet of the golfer are square to the ball, andthen flair the front foot outwardly before swinging the club.

In addition to the front foot marking 102, the rear foot marking 104 andthe ball marking 106, the first position marking 100 is provided with aswing guide marking 116 including first and second parallel lines 118,120 (broken up by the ball marking 106 positioned therealong). The firstand second parallel lines 118, 120 are substantially parallel to thealignment axis 108 and define a path through which the club head shouldbe swung as a golfer practices his or her wedge swing. The first andsecond ball marks 112, 114 are positioned along the first and secondparallel lines 118, 120 such that a golfer is directed to position aball within the space defined by the first and second parallel lines118, 120 and between the first and second ball marks 112, 114. As such,the swing guide marking 116 defines a swing path allowing for readyidentification when a golfer's swing moved out of the desired swingpath.

The second position marking 200 includes a front foot marking 202, arear foot marking 204 and a ball marking 206. The front foot marking 202and the rear foot marking 204 are positioned along an alignment axis 208such that a golfer is positioned for striking a golf ball and hitting italong, and substantially parallel to, the alignment axis 208. The secondposition marking 200 also includes a squared foot position marking 210associated with the front foot marking 202 to accommodate differentgolfing preferences.

The ball marking 206 is positioned substantially in line with the frontfoot marking 202 along a line substantially perpendicular to thealignment axis 208. More particularly, the ball marking 206 ispositioned substantially in line with the inner heel 211 of the frontfoot marking 202 along a line substantially perpendicular to thealignment axis 208. The ball marking 206 includes first and second ballmarks 212, 214 respectively positioned for allowing a golfer to positiona ball along a range of locations to accommodate differing arm lengthsand body sizes.

As with the first position marking 100, the squared foot positionmarking 210 is used in conjunction with the front and rear foot markings202, 204 to assist golfers in achieving proper alignment with the ball.In particular, it has been found that golfers have difficulty inachieving proper alignment when their front foot is flaired outwardly(see front foot marking 202) as the ball position no longer appears tobe in alignment with inside of the front foot when the front foot isflaired outwardly. As such, the present training mat 10 provides asquared foot position marking 210 that allows the golfer to properlyposition his or her feet relative to the ball while the front and rearfeet of the golfer are square to the ball, and then flair the front footoutwardly before swinging the club.

In addition to the front foot marking 202, the rear foot marking 204 andthe ball marking 206, the second position marking 200 is provided with aswing guide marking 216 including first and second parallel lines 218,220 (broken up by the ball marking 206 positioned therealong). The firstand second parallel lines 218, 220 are substantially parallel to thealignment axis 208 and provide a path through which the club head shouldbe swung as a golfer practices his or her wedge swing. The first andsecond ball marks 212, 214 are positioned along the first and secondparallel lines 218, 220 such that a golfer is directed to position aball within the space defined by the first and second parallel lines218, 220 and between the first and second ball marks 212, 214.

The second position marking 200 may be enhanced during use by placing asmall pile of sand directly on the mat 10 under the ball. The golfer isthen instructed to hit the sand shot as if they were truly in a sandtrap. While use of the sand is disclosed in accordance with a preferredembodiment of the present invention, those skilled in the art willcertainly appreciate that the second position marking may be usedwithout sand while still remaining within the spirit of the presentinvention.

The third position marking 300 includes a front foot marking 302, a rearfoot marking 304 and a ball marking 306. The front foot marking 302 andthe rear foot marking 304 are positioned along an alignment axis 308such that a golfer is positioned for striking a golf ball and hitting italong, and substantially parallel to, the alignment axis 308. The thirdposition marking 300 also includes squared foot position markings 310,311 associated with the front foot marking 302 and the rear foot marking304 to accommodate different golfing preferences.

The ball marking 306 is positioned substantially in line with the rearfoot marking 304 along a line substantially perpendicular to thealignment axis 308. More particularly, the ball marking 306 ispositioned substantially in line with the heel 313 of the rear foot 304marking along a line substantially perpendicular to the alignment axis308. The ball marking 306 includes first and second ball 312, 314 marksrespectively positioned for allowing a golfer to position a ball along arange of locations to accommodate differing arm lengths and body sizes.

As with the first position marking 100 and the second position marking200, the squared foot position markings 310, 311 are used in conjunctionwith the front and rear foot markings 102, 104 to assist golfers inachieving proper alignment with the ball. The present training mat 10provides squared foot position markings 310, 311 that allow the golferto properly position his or her feet relative to the ball while thefront and rear feet of the golfer are square to the ball, and then flairthe front and rear feet forward before swinging the club.

In addition to the front foot marking 302, the rear foot marking 304 andthe ball marking 306, the third position marking 300 is provided with aswing guide marking 316 including first and second parallel lines 318,320 (broken up by the ball marking 306 positioned therealong). The firstand second parallel lines 318, 320 are substantially parallel to thealignment axis 308 and provide a path through which the club head shouldbe swung as a golfer practices his or her wedge swing. The first andsecond ball marks 312, 314 are positioned along the first and secondparallel lines 318, 320 such that a golfer is directed to position aball within the space defined by the first and second parallel lines318, 320 and between the first and second ball marks 312, 314.

Although the golf training mat described above is set up for righthanded golfers, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the sameprinciples applied to the present mat could be readily adapted to a golfmat for left handed golfers without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention.

While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it willbe understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by suchdisclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications andalternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A golf training mat for practicing short game shots including a wedgeswing, a sand swing and a chip swing, consisting essentially of: a ballstriking surface including markings associated with foot and ballpositioning: a first position marking including a front foot marking, arear foot marking and a ball marking, the front foot marking and therear foot marking being positioned along an alignment axis, wherein theball marking is positioned substantially between the front foot markingand the rear foot marking along a line substantially perpendicular tothe alignment axis; a second position marking including a front footmarking, a rear foot marking and a ball marking, the front foot markingand the rear foot marking being positioned along an alignment axis,wherein the ball marking is positioned substantially in line with thefront foot marking along a line substantially perpendicular to thealignment axis; a third position marking including a front foot marking,a rear foot marking and a ball marking, the front foot marking and therear foot marking being positioned along an alignment axis, wherein theball marking is positioned substantially in line with the rear footmarking along a line substantially perpendicular to the alignment axis.2. The golf training mat according to claim 1, wherein the first, secondand third position markings are oriented 90 degrees relative to eachother.
 3. The golf training mat according to claim 1, wherein the first,second and third position markings each include at least one squaredfoot position marking.
 4. The golf training mat according to claim 3,wherein the front foot marking of the first position marking includes asquared foot position marking.
 5. The golf training mat according toclaim 3, wherein the front foot marking of the second position markingincludes a squared foot position marking.
 6. The golf training mataccording to claim 3, wherein the front foot marking and the rear footmarking of the third position marking include respective squared footposition markings.
 7. The golf training mat according to claim 1,further including swing guide markings associated with, and in alignmentwith, the ball markings of the first, second and third positionmarkings.
 8. The golf training mat according to claim 7, wherein each ofthe swing guide marking includes first and second parallel lines whichare substantially parallel to the alignment axis.
 9. The golf trainingmat according to claim 8, wherein the ball markings of the first, secondand third position markings are located along the first and secondparallel lines, defining a range of locations along which a ball may bepositioned.
 10. The golf training mat according to claim 9, wherein theball markings of the first, second and third position markings eachinclude first and second ball marks respectively positioned in line withthe first and second parallel lines of the swing guide markings.